A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

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What contributed to the criticisms regarding the Raine et al. study's validity?

Use of outdated and new technology
Inconsistency in participant responses
Low sample size
Limited scope of the study

The correct answer is: Use of outdated and new technology

The criticism regarding the validity of the Raine et al. study largely stems from the use of outdated and new technology in their methodologies. This discrepancy can lead to questions about the reliability of the results, as technological advancements may influence the data collected or interpreted. The incorporation of both outdated and state-of-the-art technology may create inconsistencies that challenge the overall findings, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the relationship between brain activity and behavior as it applies to violent offenders. Validity is often tied to whether the methods used are appropriate and reliable for the phenomena being studied, and technological inconsistencies raise concerns about whether the conclusions drawn reflect true relationships or artifacts of measurement. In contrast, while sample size and scope are important factors in a study, the unique focus on technology highlights a specific potential weakness in the research design that is critical to assessing the validity of the findings.